How Texans are still paying the price for disastrous Easterby-Watson era
WHY NOW?
10 March 2023
WHY NOW?
The Houston Texans will forfeit their original fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and have been fined $175,000 for a salary cap reporting violation, the NFL announced Thursday.
This dates back to the Texans paying $25,000 for Deshaun Watson to use the facilities at The Houstonian in 2020, before GM Nick Caserio was hired.
The Texans still have 11 total picks, but the fifth rounder they lost could have been used to help the Texans trade up in the draft.
ESPN Houston's Brad Kellner, Cody Stoots, and Andrew Carlson react to the news on The Wheelhouse!
LISTEN to The Wheelhouse on ESPN Houston 97.5 or 92.5 FM every weekday from 3-7 PM CST!
The Houston Texans caught everyone by surprise when they traded for Joe Mixon on Tuesday. Well, it didn't take long for the Texans to top that move.
According to multiple reports, the Houston Texans are signing former Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a 2-year, $49 million deal with $48 million guaranteed.
Danielle Hunter grew up outside Houston. Now, after nine seasons in Minnesota, he joins his hometown team on a two-year, $49 million deal that includes $48M guaranteed. Max $51M with incentives. https://t.co/wrSqyqkVx0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2024
Hunter (age 29) is a 4-time Pro Bowler that played every game over the past two seasons. He recorded 16.5 sacks in 2023 with 22 quarterback hits.
Basically, the Texans traded pass rushers with the Vikings, as Jonathan Greenard signed with Minnesota on Monday. With the addition of Hunter and defensive end Denico Autry in free agency, Houston has a lot of flexibility on their d-line.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson should be thrilled about this addition, as Hunter and Autry will attract a lot of attention on the opposite side of the line.
Plus, the Colts were rumored to be interested in Hunter. So not only do the Texans get him, but that also means the Colts don't.
Texans tackle Tytus Howard certainly likes the move!
Our DLine is crazyyyyyy
— Tytus Howard (@tyhoward71) March 12, 2024
It will be interesting to see how the Texans deploy their pass-rushers. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein believes the Texans can get creative with their alignments, with both Autry and Hunter joining the team.
I know the Texans will sit in nickel as their primary base package more than they won't, but Autry and Hunter give the Texans the ability to become more varied with their alignments as Autry can play 5T in a true odd-front look.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024
Interesting...
Denico Autry can play base but with Hunter in Houston now, his role me be more as a sub-rusher inside. With Hunter, Anderson and Autry hunting the quarterback.... look out.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 12, 2024